Artist: Vibha Galhotra

Goodman Gallery presents ‘Climacteric Whispers’, Vibha Galhotra’s first solo UK exhibition, showcasing the evolution of her environmental and conceptual art practice over the past fifteen years. Through multimedia works, Galhotra explores how human actions impact our planet, posing the question: Do we truly understand the consequences of our choices?

“This exhibition at Goodman is a significant moment for me as an artist. Introducing my work to UK audiences allows for a broader conversation about the urgent environmental issues we face globally.” - Galhotra

Galhotra’s multimedia practice addresses the shifting topography of a world radically transformed by climate change, consumerism, capitalism, and globalisation. Her work shares conceptual links with land art movements of the 1960s and 70s. Galhotra also draws from varying disciplines - including ecology, economics and spirituality - to inform a poetic visual and renewed response to the impact of human activity.

For ‘Climacteric Whispers’, the centrepiece for the exhibition is taken from the artist’s ‘WOUNDED’ series. This body of work alludes to the scars humanity leaves on the planet through self- centred actions. The process of scar-making on the works’ surface becomes a metaphor for the perceived pain of the earth and its fragile state, with paper casts bearing the imprint of sharp objects. The technique used revisits the “Wound” work of her favourite Indian artist, Somnath Hore, who employs a similar approach.

In ‘FLOW’, Galhotra repurposes traditional Indian anklet bells, or ghungroos, used in classical dance and ornamentation, for silent contemplation. By detaching the ghungroos from their musical and rhythmic essence, she creates new movements and patterns that visually represent the voiceless and degrading environment. The structure of ‘FLOW’ mimics the path of the Yamuna River, highlighting how pollution has turned this sacred river into a hazard.

The exhibition also features the artist’s latest work ‘From the series Beneath’. This is an extension of her largest project ‘Future Fables’ which delves into the intricate transformation of modern urban environments and addresses the profound impact of wars and natural disasters. Another iteration of this project will be produced during the artist’s residency at the NIROX Foundation in South Africa later this year.

Through ‘Climacteric Whispers’ Galhotra urges us to consider the immediate present while highlighting the folly of investing in artificial means of survival on other planets. Her diverse interventions in our planet’s habitat and beyond serve as a powerful call to action, reminding us of the need to change our ways before it’s too late.

Vibha Galhotra (b.1978 Kaithal, India) is a conceptual artist whose multimedia oeuvre - including sculptures, installations, photography, videos, site-specific work, and public art interventions - addresses the shifting topography of a world radically transformed by climate change, consumerism, capitalism, and globalisation.

Galhotra has exhibited at museums and institutions internationally including: The Asia Society, New York (USA, 2019 & 2021); Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, Chandigarh (India, 2019); Land Art Biennial 360°(Mongolia, 2016); Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston-Salem (USA,2012); Centro per l’Art Contemporanea (Italy, 2012); Hamburg Kunsthalle (Germany, 2022), Martin Gropius Bau, Berlin (Germany, 2020); Museum of Fine Arts, Leipzig (Germany, 2020); Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Delhi (India, 2022 & 2018); Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg (Germany, 2018); RMIT Gallery, Melbourne (Australia, 2018); San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose (USA, 2011); Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City (USA, 2015); among others. Solo exhibitions have been held in the Jack Shainman Gallery, New York (2012, 2015 & 2020); Exhibit 320, New Delhi (2017); Gallery Espace, New Delhi (2013); Project 88, Mumbai (2008); and Anant Art Gallery, New Delhi (2004 & 2005).

Collections include: National Gallery of Modern Art (India), The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (India); The Margulies Collection (USA); Pizzuti Collection (USA); Gates Foundation (USA); San Jose Museum (USA); Casa Masaccio Arte Contemporanea (Italy); Singapore Art Museum (Singapore); Essl Museum (Austria); Mumbai Airport Museum (India); Mercedes-Benz Stadium Art Collection (USA); 21c Museum Hotel (USA); Seattle Art Museum (USA); Lux Art Institute (USA); Devi Art Foundation (India); Casoria Contemporary Art Museum (Italy); Gut Gasteil (Austria); Saga Art College (Japan); and Europas Parkas (Lithuania).

Awards and fellowships include: Sanatan Sangeet Sanskriti Puraskar, 2024 /Philipp Otto Runge Foundation Fellowship, 2022/ Jerusalem International Fellows, Jerusalem, Israel, 2022 / Asia Arts Future – Asia Arts Game Changer Awards India 2019 / Asia Culture Council Grant, New York, 2017/ Rockefeller Foundation, Bellagio Center Grant, Bellagio, Italy, 2016/ Young Women Achievers Award given by Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO), 2015/ Best of Discovery, 2008/ Inlaks Foundation Fine Arts Award, 2004/ National Scholarship by the Human Resource Department, Government of India, 2003/ Artist under 30 Award, 1998 Chandigarh State, Lalit Kala Akademy Award 1998

Galhotra lives and works in New Delhi.